Ryan Woods’ musical journey is defined by self-discovery, resilience, and an unyielding passion for connection. Growing up, Ryan found himself captivated by the power of music as a means of expression and comfort, especially during challenging times. With a background that includes everything from performing at local events to posting covers on social media, Ryan’s path to recognition has been anything but conventional. What started as a hobby quickly became a calling, leading him to find his voice as a performer and a songwriter who delves deep into the human experience. In this interview, we explore how Ryan’s early influences, navigating the ever-changing digital landscape, and transitioning from covering songs to creating his own original music have all contributed to his unique sound and artistic identity.

Growing up, you had a diverse musical upbringing, such as singing in the church choir. How did these early experiences shape your musical identity? I have always enjoyed entertaining people and getting attention. When I was young, I was smaller than most of my peers, so I was only good at sports until a certain age; that’s when music took a front seat in my life. I felt like it gave me value. My family has a lot of generational trauma, and I think I have always looked for ways to ease other people's pain or stress. I could always sense when my mom was having a tough day. I guess you could say I have empathic qualities, but it's like a two-way street where I feel that serving and helping to distract someone from something painful also helped me find my purpose.

 Your music initially gained recognition by posting covers on platforms. Can you tell us more about how you chose which songs to cover and what you enjoyed most about sharing your music in that format? I stumbled upon a community of Instagram singers who were posting covers and aspiring to make it in the music industry. It was a competitive environment, but more so in a way that inspired us to put our own spin on songs and be inspired by others' covers. When choosing which songs to cover, I had three criteria. First, I paid attention to what was trending at the time, such as the popular songs by artists like Billie Eilish. Second, I covered songs that I personally liked. Lastly, I aimed to create content that resonated with my audience, often covering songs by boy bands like One Direction and smaller bands like Why Don’t We? I tried to cover artists who weren't too big, hoping they would see my cover and be willing to repost it. I also became good at using hashtags that would attract their fans, and a few times, it led to a snowball effect. That's how social media used to work; there weren't algorithms, and the strategies have changed dramatically. It used to feel much more organic, but now it's more like a game hoping to land a lucky break.

How have you navigated that change? I find the concept strange. It's the most challenging part of my job. Many strategies feel manipulative, and I dislike that. Having a hook in my videos is necessary but feels insincere. I prefer to be discovered naturally. I'm not against social media, but finding my rhythm has been challenging. My goal is to keep creating the best music and hope it reaches those who need it most.

How did you transition from doing covers to writing and releasing your original music? I had been making a lot of live streams that were gaining traction, and Joe, who is my manager now, found me and reached out to see if I had a team. In the past, several people had approached me, offering to represent me, but I had always been skeptical about their offers. When Joe contacted me and asked if we could have a phone call, I initially didn't reply. However, he kept emailing me, probably around ten times, before I finally apologized and hopped on a call with him. He explained the current layout of the music industry and where I fit into it. After a few more calls, I decided to partner with him, and one of the first things he asked me was if I could write songs. I admitted that I had never finished anything and wasn't very confident in that area yet. He challenged me to write one song a week for a couple of months to get my creativity flowing. He mentioned that I didn't have to finish them; it was just about exercising my creative muscles. So, I did that and wrote about 100 songs before I even considered releasing anything.

After that, I had some recording sessions. I went to Nashville and Los Angeles and worked in a studio for the first few times, which was very exciting. I slowly gathered enough demos that I thought were good enough to release and started pitching them to labels. I first wrote "Bad Texter," and that went well. Then, I got my first minor record deal, which wasn't a super high commitment and didn't require me to pay out of pocket for things like videos. We started rolling out singles, then an EP, and then we went on tour. I'm in phase two, being cautious not to make the wrong move and take my time. I finally feel like I have the right team around me, and I am proud of the music.

Would you say “Garden” is the beginning of this new chapter? Did this song come together quickly, or did it evolve with time? I grew up in a religious bubble, and in many ways, I'm thankful for that as I think it gave me some perspective of the world and other cultures; however, it made me curious about what's beyond that. I was very much that pure little Christian boy who always wanted to do the right thing and help people until one day, it all blew up in my face and popped my bubble. I had that moment where I discovered that evil exists in this world, and it sent me on this whole journey of spirituality and existential wandering. It was a very rude awakening and sent me into a mental health crusade that took years of slowly starting to feel more and more like myself again. So, “Garden” was the beginning of that rebirth. I found ways to rediscover myself and find wonder in life again. I learned to be strong and protect what I value: joy, love, and peace as a human. Many outside factors try to interrupt these aspects of your life. I went from being a whimsical and pure child to hating the world overnight. Finding my ability to be that person again was really beautiful, and I wanted to share that with others.

How can you incorporate these emotions and significant life transitions into your music and songwriting? I write my songs to reflect my journey and aim to create productive music. While there is a lot of melancholy music out there, when I write a sad song, I try to infuse it with a bit of wisdom or positivity. For example, in my song "The Breakup Phase," which is about detaching your life from someone else's after a breakup, I try to convey a sense of hope even though it's a sad song. I want to acknowledge the situation's difficulty while emphasizing that we will be okay and move on.

How have fans responded to this new chapter of music? I think they’ve been enjoying it. I've been very vocal about the why’s and how’s behind the songs, my personal journey, navigating the music industry, overcoming obstacles, and being thankful for missed opportunities. Seeing familiar faces commenting on my posts from over four years ago has been a surreal feeling. Going back to social media, I feel better at connecting with fans in a live setting. Live streaming has always been the best way for me to be unfiltered and show my true self to others. I enjoy the connection with my fans; it's like a collection of outcasts and people who may not have the most secure place in their lives.

Are there any particular themes or stories you want to explore in your music? In the past few years, I've dedicated a significant amount of time to understanding what truly matters to me. On a musical level, I'm delving into the shift into adulthood and the evolving meanings of concepts like love. I wanted the first song on the record to set the foundation for the rest of the album in terms of style and theme. I started writing more love songs, one of which is called “Consideration.” This song touches on the theme of wanting to be noticed by a love interest and asking them to consider the possibility of a romantic relationship. I feel that it's a more mature take on love, expressing vulnerability and a desire for the other person to acknowledge and respond to those feelings.

Another song on the project is titled "Too Many Ways to Live," it starts with the lines: “I could be a preacher standing on a mountaintop. I could be a teacher, but I don't read a lot. I could be a real good guy. Maybe have a bad side, giving people weird vibes. I could find love if I really wanted to, but what's love when nobody ever tells the truth?” These lyrics convey an almost anxious spiral of questioning: “Who am I? What do I want to do? What's meant for me? What's not? What's my purpose?” It reflects the anxiety of realizing one's human potential and not knowing how to fulfill it. This curiosity fuels my music, inspiring a spirit of exploration, openness to learning, and embracing mistakes.

There’s also a track that’s coming out called "Gun in the Glovebox," which delves into the theme of young love and the early stages of getting to know someone better. When I was young, I was advised not to snoop in people's glove boxes because they might hide things you're not supposed to find, so I internalized that idea. At the time, I was dating a girl who came from a very different background and had different perspectives on the world than I did. Despite our differences, there was something beautiful about our mutual innocence, or perhaps it was willing ignorance. She really wanted to get to know me - the good, the bad, the ugly, everything. I struggled with confidence because I didn't have the proudest upbringing, and all I could think was, "Yo, I don't know if you want to see all this."

Looking ahead to the future, what are your aspirations for your music and career? Are there any new genres or styles you're interested in exploring? For starters, I want to focus on developing my own artistic project and reaching my full potential in that area. However, I am also interested in expanding my skills by writing and producing for other artists. I’d love to compose music for films. My background in classical band and orchestra has given me a love for composing, especially for strings. I am a big fan of John Williams. Growing up in Orlando, right next door to Disney, I have always loved everything related to Disney. Their soundtracks are so magical and inspiring. I believe that the layers in their music come through in my own music, too, giving it a dream-like quality. I am passionate about sound design, scoring for movies, and writing songs for films and TV. Ultimately, my dream is to succeed in the music industry and maybe even win a Grammy one day. I always say, “I’m shooting for Pluto, but if we land on the moon, at least we got off Earth.”

Ryan Woods has established a unique presence in the music industry, characterized by a commitment to authenticity and a strong bond with his fans. His music combines vulnerability, hope, and self-reflection, striking a chord with audiences on their own paths. As he grows both personally and artistically, Ryan remains dedicated to creating music that not only entertains but also comforts and motivates. In the future, Ryan Woods will continue to use his music as a powerful medium for connecting with others and telling meaningful stories, leaving a lasting impression on all who listen.